Firearm safety lock

ABSTRACT

A firearm safety lock that includes a rotatable locking member for being moved into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into a holster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position. An electronic circuit is mounted on the holster and operable to cause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/315,138, filed Mar. 30, 2016, the full contentsof which are incorporated into this utility application by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a firearm safety lock. In the particularembodiment disclosed in this application, the safety lock is showninstalled in a waist holster. As described below, the safety lock isintended to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster by anyoneother than an individual equipped with a device that deactivates thelock. The safety lock therefore provides a safety feature that canprotect the wearer of the holster from an attempt by another to removethe weapon from the holster. The invention will have particular utilityfor private individuals carrying firearms for personal protection andfor law enforcement officers.

The holster with the installed safety lock provides substantiallygreater security than typical holsters, which rely on a strap that trapsthe firearm in the holster and can be released by anyone pulling thestrap away from the holster, which is held in place by a snap or somesimilar holding device. The strap can also prevent the authorized userfrom removing the firearm from the holster as quickly as may be requiredunder some circumstances.

A programmed electronic device, such as a smart card, chip card, orintegrated circuit card (ICC) is preferably used to operate anelectro-mechanical lock assembly and provides security based on a uniquecode that is transmitted to the lock by a radio frequency identification(“RFID”) card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a firearm safetylock that, when the handgun is inserted into the holster in which thesafety lock is installed, covers the trigger and triggerguard-preventing discharge of the firearm while in the holster. Thefirearm cannot be removed from the holster by a child or otherunauthorized user.

A “smart” integrated circuit device or a similar technology is used toprovide the owner with a unique electronic key that may be worn as apart of a device such as a wristband, ring, cufflink or other smallwearable object capable of operating the smart card chip based on theproximity or lack of proximity to the lock.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety lock can befitted not only to holsters but also other types of concealed carryreceivers.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the safety lock isuniversal, and thus can be used to secure all brands of handguns intothe lock-equipped holster.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the safety lockpermits quick removal of the handgun by the user without additionalmotion or activity other than the user's hand coming into apredetermined proximity to the holster safety lock.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved in the preferred embodiment disclosed below by providing afirearm safety lock that includes a locking member for being moved intoa lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm responsive tomovement of the firearm into the holster to prevent removal of thefirearm from the holster when in the lock position, and an electroniccircuit operable to cause the locking member to move from the lockposition into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded keypaired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into apredetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking member isa locking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement between the lockand unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobesdefining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm inthe lock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking memberincludes a locking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement betweenthe lock and unlock positions, and includes first and secondspaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guardof the firearm in the lock position. A battery-powered solenoid isprovided and a solenoid plunger is movable by the solenoid between alock position in which the plunger prevents rotation of the lockingrotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the lockingrotor is rotatable from the lock position to the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a return spring ismounted on the locking rotor to return the locking rotor to the unlockposition when the plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic circuitis a RFID circuit that includes a transceiver and an antenna powered bya battery for transmitting and receiving a coded radio frequency.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the RFID is adapted totransmit an electromagnetic signal to the solenoid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking member ispositioned in a firearm-receiving pocket of a holster.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the coded key includesa transponder that responds to an electromagnetic signal from thetransceiver with a coded electromagnetic response, which if paired withthe transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit to transmit a signal tothe locking member.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a firearm safety lockis provided, and is mounted in a holster that includes inner and outerholster walls defining a firearm pocket adapted for receiving andholding a firearm in a ready storage condition. A locking rotor ispositioned between the inner and outer holster walls for being movedinto a lock position against the trigger guard of the firearm responsiveto movement of the firearm into the holster to prevent removal of thefirearm from the holster when in the lock position. The locking rotor isrotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions,and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess foraccommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position. Abattery-powered solenoid is positioned on the holster and includes aplunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which theplunger prevents movement of the locking rotor from the lock positionand an unlock position in which the locking rotor is movable from thelock position to the unlock position. A RFID circuit includes atransceiver and an antenna powered by a battery for transmitting andreceiving a coded radio frequency electronic signal mounted on theholster and operable to cause the locking rotor to move from the lockposition into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded keypaired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into apredetermined proximity to the electronic circuit. A return spring ismounted on the locking rotor for returning the locking rotor into theunlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the transceiver,antenna and battery are mounted on the inner wall of the holsterexterior to the firearm pocket and are adapted to transmit anelectromagnetic signal to the solenoid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking rotor ispositioned in an opening in the outer wall of the holster communicatingwith the firearm pocket.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the coded key includesa transponder that responds to an electromagnetic signal from thetransceiver with a coded electromagnetic response, which if paired withthe transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit to transmit a signal tothe solenoid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of locking afirearm in a holster is provided, and includes the steps of providing aholster having inner and outer holster walls defining a firearm pocketadapted for receiving and holding a firearm in a ready storagecondition, and providing a locking rotor positioned between the innerand outer holster walls. An electronic circuit is mounted on the holsterand an interconnection is provided between the locking rotor and theelectronic circuit to cause the locking rotor to move from the lockposition into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded keypaired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into apredetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe steps of inserting a firearm into the holster and causing thelocking rotor to move into a lock position against a trigger guard ofthe firearm. The firearm is removable from the holster responsive tomovement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electroniccircuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit tocause the locking rotor to move into the unlock position releasing thetrigger guard.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe steps of rotating the locking rotor between the lock and unlockpositions, wherein the locking rotor includes first and secondspaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guardof the firearm in the lock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe steps of providing a battery-powered solenoid positioned on theholster and a plunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position inwhich the plunger prevents movement of the locking rotor from the lockposition and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is movablefrom the lock position to the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe steps of providing a return spring mounted on the holster for urgingthe locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in theunlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe steps of manually overriding the solenoid by deflecting the solenoidplunger from its locked position into an unlocked position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe step of returning the locking rotor into the unlock position whenthe plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includesthe step of providing a spring that is loaded to return the lockingrotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlockposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the descriptionof the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional automatic firearm in aconventional holster;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of an outer side of a holster according to apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of an inner side of the holster of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearmas it is being inserted into the holster prior to entering the safetylock;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearmas it is entering the safety lock;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearmpositioned in the safety look in the lock mode; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearmas the safety lock is being released to permit extraction of the firearmfrom the holster.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now to the drawings, a conventional firearm “F” and prior artholster “H” is shown. The firearm “F” is inserted into a pocket of theholster with the nose of the barrel extending out of a bottom opening ofthe holster pocket and the firearm grip in a ready position to begripped and extracted from the pocket of the holster “H”. One aspect ofthe invention is the ability to use a conventionally-shaped and sizedholster by the addition of operating elements that are compact and donot interfere with the normal operation of the holster. However, theinvention is applicable for use with types of holsters and otherfirearm-holding devices, so the use of the term “holster” in thisapplication is used in the broad sense to mean a case for carrying ausually small item on the person. Thus, the term “holster” may includecarry a handbag, briefcase, concealed carry garment or other objecthaving a pocket within which a firearm can be stored when not in use,rather than only a holder worn on the waist, shoulder or on a saddle.

As shown in FIG. 2, a holster 10 according to one preferred embodimentof the invention includes an inner wall 12 and an outer wall 14 rivetedor otherwise secured to the inner wall 12 to form a pocket 16 into whichthe firearm “F” is inserted. As is also conventional, the holster 10includes a pair of belt clips 18 that permit the holster 10 to besecured to a waist belt of the user.

In accordance with the invention, a holster safety lock assembly 20 ismounted on the holster 10 and includes elements mounted on the outsideof the outer wall 14 and on the inside of the pocket “P”. As is shown inFIG. 3, the lock assembly 20 also includes electronic control elementsmounted on an inner face of the inner wall 12. These elements include acircuit board 22 having an antenna and appropriate control circuitry forproviding contactless control, as described below powered by a flatbattery 24. The circuit board 22 and battery 24 are housed under a cover26 that can be secured to the inner wall 12 of the holster 10 with thesame rivets used to secure the outer wall 14 to the inner wall 12, orwith any other suitable connectors. Electric current is supplied to theelectro-mechanical elements of the lock assembly 20 from the circuitboard 22 by wiring 28 that can extend around a lower edge of the innerwall 12, as shown, through a port in the inner wall 12, or otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lock assembly 20, positioned in theholster pocket 16, includes a solenoid 32 that operates a spring-loadedplunger 34 with a spring 36 that is under compression and normallymaintains the plunger 34 in an extended position, as shown. The lockassembly 20 is mounted on a base 38.

As best shown in FIG. 4A, a rotatably-mounted locking rotor 40 has arecess 42 that defines spaced-apart lobes 44, 46. By observing theposition of the firearm “F”, it will be noted that the trigger guard “G”is in a position to engage the locking rotor 40 as it moves further inthe direction of the lock assembly 20. The locking rotor 40 is mountedfor rotation on a torsion spring 48 that biases the locking rotor 40 inthe clockwise direction. The locking rotor 40 also includes aradially-extending shoulder 50 and a cam surface 52 against which theplunger 34 engages during rotation of the locking rotor 40.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, as the firearm “F” moves closer to thelocking assembly 20, the locking rotor 40 is positioned to interferewith movement of the trigger guard “G” of the firearm “F” into thestorage position in the holster “H”. The movement of the trigger guard“G” causes it to engage the lobe 44 of the locking rotor 40 rotating itclockwise and causing the lobe 46, which is the actual locking member,has a curved, hook shape, to also rotate clockwise, as shown.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the locking rotor 40 has been rotated bythe trigger guard “G” into a fully-locked position best shown in FIG.6A. The lobe 46 has rotated into the space behind the trigger guard “G”forward of the trigger, and the solenoid plunger 34 has extended into alocked position against the shoulder 50. The locked position is thusmaintained by the plunger 34 of the solenoid 32 bearing against theshoulder 50 of the locking rotor 40. An attempt to withdraw the firearm“F” from the above-described locking position is defeated by the lobe 46of the locking rotor 40 that remains locked behind the trigger guard“G”.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the circuit board 22 is preferably acontactless circuit, such as a smart card, chip card, or integratedcircuit card (ICC), and is credentialed and operatively connected to thesolenoid 32. The battery 24 is preferably a lithium ion battery. It isanticipated that in the future operating principles of the circuit andbattery may further develop, and it is the intention of this applicationto include in its scope such new developments as they may develop.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, to unlock the locking rotor 40, anelectronic “key”, for example a proximity tag 54 with a unique code ispaired with the circuit board 22. When the tag 54 is moved into apredetermined proximity to the circuit 22, the circuit 22 energizes andreleases the solenoid 32, which withdraws the plunger 34 from itsposition against the shoulder 50 of the locking rotor 40. The withdrawalof the plunger 34 does not itself unlock the firearm “F” by rotating thelobe 46 out from behind the trigger guard “G”. It merely permits thelocking rotor 40 to rotate. Actual rotation of the locking rotor 40 isaccomplished by the torsion spring 48 on which the locking rotor 40 ismounted. When permitted by the withdrawal of the plunger 34 from theshoulder 50, the torsion spring 48 rotates the locking rotor 40counterclockwise, withdrawing the lobe 46 from behind the trigger guard“G” and returning the locking rotor 40 to the unlocked position of FIGS.4A and 4B. This permits the firearm “F” to be extracted from the holster10.

The tag 54 may be integrated into a wristband, ring, cufflink, watch orother wearable object capable of being moved into proximity with thecircuit board 22. The locking assembly 20 and its associated parts boltinto the holster 10 in a manner similar to existing holsterconstruction. The locking assembly 20 replaces the typical 1″×2″×1.5″plastic spacer block commonly found in holsters where the handguntrigger guard “G” resides when the firearm “F” is properly holstered.

In the event of a battery or circuit failure, the firearm “F” may beunlocked manually. This is accomplished by providing a secondary, manualrelease 60 shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B and 7B. Release 60 can be manuallyoperated by pushing on a button 62, which urges a lever 64 clockwiseagainst the plunger spring 36, retracting it from its position againstthe plunger 34 and allowing the plunger 34 to retract. In the samemanner as described above, the torsion spring 48 is allowed to rotatethe locking rotor 40 counterclockwise, withdrawing the lobe 46 frombehind the trigger guard “G”.

The locking assembly 20 may optionally be provided with an unlockedindicator tone, low battery light/indicator, spare battery compartmentor other optional features.

A firearm safety lock is described above. Various details of theinvention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore,the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionand the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for thepurpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—theinvention being defined by the claims.

We claim:
 1. A firearm safety lock, comprising: (a) a locking member forbeing moved into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearmresponsive to movement of the firearm into the holster to preventremoval of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position; and(b) an electronic circuit operable to cause the locking member to movefrom the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement ofa coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit intoa predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.
 2. A firearm safetylock according to claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises alocking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement between the lockand unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobesdefining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm inthe lock position.
 3. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1,wherein: (a) the locking member comprises a locking rotor that isrotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions,and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess foraccommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position; (b)a battery-powered solenoid; and (c) a solenoid plunger movable by thesolenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents rotationof the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position inwhich the locking rotor is rotatable from the lock position to theunlock position.
 4. A firearm safety lock according to claim 3, andincluding a return spring mounted on the locking rotor to return thelocking rotor to the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlockposition.
 5. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic circuit is a RFID circuit that includes a transceiver and anantenna powered by a battery for transmitting and receiving a codedradio frequency.
 6. A firearm safety holster according to claim 3,wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to transmit an electromagneticsignal to the solenoid.
 7. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1,wherein the locking member is positioned in a firearm-receiving pocketof a holster.
 8. A firearm safety holster according to claim 1, whereinthe coded key comprises a transponder that responds to anelectromagnetic signal from the transceiver with a coded electromagneticresponse, which if paired with the transceiver, triggers the electroniccircuit to transmit a signal to the locking member.
 9. A firearm safetylock, comprising: (a) inner and outer holster walls defining a firearmpocket adapted for receiving and holding a firearm in a ready storagecondition; (b) a locking rotor positioned between the inner and outerholster walls for being moved into a lock position against the triggerguard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into theholster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in thelock position, wherein the locking rotor is rotatably mounted formovement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first andsecond spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating thetrigger guard of the firearm in the lock position; (c) a battery-poweredsolenoid positioned on the holster and including a plunger movable bythe solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger preventsmovement of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlockposition in which the locking rotor is movable from the lock position tothe unlock position; and (d) an RFID circuit including a transceiver andan antenna powered by a battery for transmitting and receiving a codedradio frequency electronic signal mounted on the holster and operable tocause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlockposition responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a codeprogrammed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity tothe electronic circuit.
 10. A firearm safety lock according to claim 9,wherein the transceiver, antenna and battery are mounted on the innerwall of the holster exterior to the firearm pocket and is adapted totransmit an electromagnetic signal to the solenoid.
 11. A firearm safetylock according to claim 9, wherein the locking rotor is positioned in anopening in the outer wall of the holster communicating with the firearmpocket.
 12. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein thecoded key comprises a transponder that responds to an electromagneticsignal from the transceiver with a coded electromagnetic response which,if paired with the transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit totransmit a signal to the solenoid.
 13. A method of locking a firearm ina holster, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a holster having innerand outer holster walls defining a firearm pocket adapted for receivingand holding a firearm in a ready storage condition; (b) providing alocking rotor positioned between the inner and outer holster walls; (c)providing an electronic circuit mounted on the holster; and (d)providing an interconnection between the locking rotor and theelectronic circuit to cause the locking rotor to move from the lockposition into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded keypaired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into apredetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 13, and including the steps of: (a) inserting afirearm into the holster, (b) causing the locking rotor to move into alock position against a trigger guard of the firearm; and (c) unlockingthe firearm from the holster responsive to movement of a coded keypaired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into apredetermined proximity to the electronic circuit to cause the lockingrotor to move into the unlock position releasing the trigger guard. 15.A method according to claim 13, and including the steps of rotating thelocking rotor between the lock and unlock positions, wherein the lockingrotor includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess foraccommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position. 16.A method according to claim 13, and including the steps of providing abattery-powered solenoid positioned on the holster and a plunger movableby the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger preventsmovement of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlockposition in which the locking rotor is movable from the lock position tothe unlock position.
 17. A method according to claim 16, and includingthe steps of providing a return spring mounted on the holster for urgingthe locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in theunlock position.
 18. A method according to claim 16, and including thestep of manually overriding the solenoid by deflecting the solenoidplunger from its locked position into an unlocked position.
 19. A methodaccording to claim 16, and including the step of returning the lockingrotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlockposition.
 20. A method according to claim 19, and including the step ofproviding a spring that is loaded to return the locking rotor into theunlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.